Problem with RCBS die in LNL AP

260 Rem · November 23, 2011, 11:40 PM

I have a new 338-300 RCBS die set. I was getting set up to resize 300 RUM brass to neck out to 338 and I ran into a problem. I have a Hornady Lock-n-Load AP and my RCBS 338-300 FL sizing die won't seat down into the shell plate. The threads hit the edges of the opening on the shell plate. All my other dies, including the RCBS seater die, have some relief cut at the ends of the threads so they clear down into the shell plate. Has anyone else had a this problem and does your FL RCBS die look like mine?

Waldog · November 23, 2011, 11:50 PM

I do believe you have a faulty die. You will sometimes see a die like that if it has been shortened by a gunsmith for a custom case. I have never seen one from the factory without the relief cut. Contact RCBS, they will make it right

FrankenMauser · November 24, 2011, 01:31 AM

I have never, ever seen an RCBS die with threads all the way to the mouth of the die.

Very odd....

I'd say it's a custom die, modified die, or an unfinished die.
Unless you know it should be like that, I'd try to get RCBS to replace it.

noylj · November 24, 2011, 02:17 AM

Not sure that RCBS could be expected to replace a "customized" die, but contacting them can't hurt.
Does the die HAVE to go down so far? If you are using a bolt action, all you may need is the neck sized or maybe just push the shoulder down 0.001" or so.

dunerjeff · November 24, 2011, 02:51 AM

That die looks like it has been trimmed down,You bought it new? I wouldn't be surprized if RCBS would still replace it free.Can you have someone chuck it in a lathe and put a relief back in it? Unless certain dies acually were made that way.

260 Rem · November 24, 2011, 12:03 PM

I ordered this set custom from RCBS @ $150. I'll contact them to see what I need to do for replacement/repair. I'm told I should full length resize since I will also be necking out from .30 to .338 and it could cause a bulge in the case if I don't FL size.

Charlie_98 · November 24, 2011, 12:16 PM

If RCBS built the dies, I think they would mod them to work. They stand by their products... give them a call.

WESHOOT2 · November 24, 2011, 02:04 PM

I avoid the press that won't accept any die I choose to use.

dunerjeff · November 24, 2011, 05:02 PM

Well there you have the solution.Sell your press because one die is made different than standard and won't fit.

243winxb · November 24, 2011, 11:38 PM

Here is a set.

Takes Shellplate #5

Charlie_98 · November 25, 2011, 01:30 AM

Given the two pictures it just looks like they didn't turn down the threads... no biggie.

WESHOOT2 · November 25, 2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

one die is made different than standard and won't fit.

I have over 150 dies....five presses; I need presses that hold my dies.
I know the Hornady L-N-L styles don't.

260 Rem · November 29, 2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Given the two pictures it just looks like they didn't turn down the threads... no biggie.

I was hoping they didn't finish turning down the threads and they would fix it. But here was their response:

You cannot use the sizer die in that particular caliber in a Hornady press. Thanks for choosing RCBS and have a great holiday season!

Thank you,

Technical Services/ap
ATK/RCBS Operation
(800) 533-5000

serf 'rett · November 29, 2011, 06:18 PM

At $150.00 custom made, one would think RCBS might have mentioned that little "not fitting" detail before now.

dunerjeff · November 29, 2011, 06:31 PM

I have a LNL and am a Machinist,if you wanted to I could turn the outside so you can use it in your press.

260 Rem · November 29, 2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

I have a LNL and am a Machinist,if you wanted to I could turn the outside so you can use it in your press.

Thanks for the offer. I think I'm going to use this as a reason to ask for a Forster Co-Ax for Christmas.

November 23, 2011, 11:40 PM	#1
260 Rem Junior Member Join Date: July 6, 2011 Posts: 9	Problem with RCBS die in LNL AP I have a new 338-300 RCBS die set. I was getting set up to resize 300 RUM brass to neck out to 338 and I ran into a problem. I have a Hornady Lock-n-Load AP and my RCBS 338-300 FL sizing die won't seat down into the shell plate. The threads hit the edges of the opening on the shell plate. All my other dies, including the RCBS seater die, have some relief cut at the ends of the threads so they clear down into the shell plate. Has anyone else had a this problem and does your FL RCBS die look like mine?

November 23, 2011, 11:50 PM	#2
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 339	I do believe you have a faulty die. You will sometimes see a die like that if it has been shortened by a gunsmith for a custom case. I have never seen one from the factory without the relief cut. Contact RCBS, they will make it right __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!!

November 24, 2011, 01:31 AM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: 1B ID Posts: 5,398	I have never, ever seen an RCBS die with threads all the way to the mouth of the die. Very odd.... I'd say it's a custom die, modified die, or an unfinished die. Unless you know it should be like that, I'd try to get RCBS to replace it. __________________ "Such is the strange way that man works -- first he virtually destroys a species and then does everything in his power to restore it."

November 24, 2011, 02:04 PM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 12,923	I avoid the press that won't accept any die I choose to use. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 24, 2011, 11:38 PM	#10
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Posts: 598	338-300 RCBS FL die set. Here is a set. Takes Shellplate #5 Last edited by 243winxb; November 25, 2011 at 02:07 PM. Reason: Takes Shellplate #5

November 24, 2011, 02:17 AM	#4
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 386	Not sure that RCBS could be expected to replace a "customized" die, but contacting them can't hurt. Does the die HAVE to go down so far? If you are using a bolt action, all you may need is the neck sized or maybe just push the shoulder down 0.001" or so.

November 24, 2011, 02:51 AM	#5
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	That die looks like it has been trimmed down,You bought it new? I wouldn't be surprized if RCBS would still replace it free.Can you have someone chuck it in a lathe and put a relief back in it? Unless certain dies acually were made that way.

November 24, 2011, 12:03 PM	#6
260 Rem Junior Member Join Date: July 6, 2011 Posts: 9	I ordered this set custom from RCBS @ $150. I'll contact them to see what I need to do for replacement/repair. I'm told I should full length resize since I will also be necking out from .30 to .338 and it could cause a bulge in the case if I don't FL size.

November 24, 2011, 12:16 PM	#7
Charlie_98 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2011 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 288	If RCBS built the dies, I think they would mod them to work. They stand by their products... give them a call.

November 24, 2011, 05:02 PM	#9
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	Well there you have the solution.Sell your press because one die is made different than standard and won't fit.

November 25, 2011, 01:30 AM	#11
Charlie_98 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2011 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 288	Given the two pictures it just looks like they didn't turn down the threads... no biggie.

November 29, 2011, 06:18 PM	#14
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 1,040	At $150.00 custom made, one would think RCBS might have mentioned that little "not fitting" detail before now. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

November 29, 2011, 06:31 PM	#15
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	I have a LNL and am a Machinist,if you wanted to I could turn the outside so you can use it in your press.